The graduate certificate in teaching English as a second language (TESL) prepares students to teach non-native speakers of English in the United States or abroad. Certificate courses fulfill, in part, requirements for an endorsement in English as a second language to the Virginia state teaching credential. Students who want to earn this endorsement should consult with an advisor.
The certificate may be pursued concurrently with any of several degree programs offered through the College of Education and Human Development, the English Department, and the Modern and Classical Languages Department. Part of the coursework toward the certificate may be applied toward degrees in those departments.
This certificate program qualifies for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.
Admissions
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to the graduate certificate in teaching English as a second language, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Policies
Students pursuing this certificate must complete 18 credits, earning a minimum grade of 3.00 in each course.
For policies governing all graduate certificates, see AP.6.8 Requirements for Graduate Certificates.
Certificate Requirements
Total credits: 18
This certificate may be pursued on a full-or part-time basis.
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LING 520 | Introduction to Linguistics 1 | 3 |
| LING 521 | Applied Linguistics: Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
| LING 522 | Modern English Grammar | 3 |
| LING 523 | English Phonetics | 3 |
| LING 525 | Practicum in ESL | 3 |
| LING 582 | Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
| 1 | This course may be waived if student is concurrently pursuing the English, MA with a concentration in linguistics. |